In the Beginning was the Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

We find ourselves in Epiphany with all of the lights and celebrations of the Christmas season behind us. Like many people, I hate for it to end. At times like these, I remember the story told to me by a friend about her infant son. Born late in the fall, his whole world had been the sights and sounds of Christmas, so when the decorations came down in January, he was inconsolable. His whole world had changed, and he didn't like it. We all know how it feels to have our whole familiar world changed. The opening chapter of the Gospel of John reminds us that no matter how much our world changes, Jesus has been present from the very beginning and is with us though all the changes and beyond. 

Wondrous Creator, who is the source of love

you sustain and renew us in all our changes

you make the world beautiful despite our tears

and walk with us beyond our comfortable places.

Help us to cling to you through all our changes

trusting that your love is strong enough for us

you healing power is moving through us all

and we will find our home again in you.

Set us free from the fear and torment of change

help us embrace the alien and the stranger

knowing that they too are besieged by changes

and need you love as we do in every hour. Amen.